Cleaning machine



Oct. 23,1934. I w. E}. SHARP CLEANING MACHINE Filed Jan. 13, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1934. w SHARP I 1,977,650

CLEANING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN ATTORNEY relating to the particular arrangementandcom,

struction of the various parts willbecome ap-q bossed in-the glass thereof, asshown mostclearly' J drained of excess fluid before Patented Oct. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES CLEANING MACHINE William EJSharp, Chicago, Ill.; Minnie E. Sharp executrix of said William:.E.' Sharp, deceased Application January 11 claims."

. This invention relates to cleaning machines and, more particularly, to a device adapted to dry-' clean articles of clothing. The principal object of my invention,'generally considered, is to provide a machine involving a transparent rotatable container adaptedfor hold.- ing a dry-cleaner and articles to be cleaned, whereby such articles are cleaned upon the. mere rotation of'athe container, and the progress of icleaning may be followed without opening said container. i

Another object of my invention is to provide a cleaning machine preferably having a spring steel supporting frame involving bearings receiving trunnions on opposite ends of a band encirclin a preferably transparent container for cleaning fluid and articles to be cleaned, one of said trunnions having a handle connected thereto for turning the container and normally interlocked with respect to the bearing on the frame to prevent undesired upward movement thereof during turnlng.

l A further object of my invention is to provide a cleaning machine involving a, bent spring steel base and stand formed of a preferably square steel rod bent to provide three sidesof a rectangle. forming the base portion, the ends of. said rec tangular portion being bentupwardly and extended horizontally to terminate in depending.

trunnions glass jar formed with spaced parallel ribs be g tween which is mounted a supporting band, to the opposite ends of which are connected bearing trunnions for rotatively mounting said jar, the;

ing pocket therebeneath into which the cleaning fluid may settle from the articles after cleaning, whereby said fluid is conserved and the articles are container. v

, Other objects and advantages of the invention parent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating-my in}. vention, the scope whereof is defi-ned by the apityv thereof, thereby providing a groove 9 therepended claims:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view-of one embodi ment of my cleaning machine. t

Figure 2.is a plan of the machineshown in Figure 1. l

' Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line; 3'-3 of Figure 2,'looking in the direction of the arrows.

removal from the 1932, serial 1N0. 586,407

(or. s s-3s) ,Figure 4 isa fragmentaryelevational view of theiend of the supporting band which receives the turning. handlefor the container and the ,corresponding portion of the frame showing the inter- 1ock -.therebetween. t

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 55 ofFigure 4, looking inlthe direction of the arrows:

1 Figure 6 is a plan of the container partition on an enlarged scale, a portion being broken away to more; clearly Show the construction.

Figure 7 is a. fragmentary sectional view on the line 7-5-7 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; g I a l Figure .8 is a fragmentary exploded view show-. ing the manner ofassembling the partition.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there is shown a cleaning machine involvinga container '1, whichis preferably made of glass or transparent material, so that the fluid and. materials therein may be inspectedwithout opening. Said container -1 is also desirably noncircular in section, or hexagonal, as illustrated, so: that agitationpf the dry-cleaner or cleaning fluid when the container is rotated about a transverse axis is more effectivefor cleaning purposes thanif-the container were cylindrical. 7

- A screw cap 2 serves for closing the container. Saidscrew cap preferably has the upper surface thereofpressed outwardly to form a handle 3, angular or channel-shaped in section for stiffness. The formation; of the handle from the top of the cap 2, ofp'course, leaves apertures 4 on either side thereof, :and'said apertures are normally closed by a fiat plate of metal, or other desirable material 5... Thebottle-or jar 1'15 preferably closed by forcing theplate 5, associated felt pad 6 and a tin-foil faced pulpboard liner 7 into tight contact withthe edgeof the open end thereof by screwing on the cap '2 to the position shown most clearly iniFigure 3. The felt pad is to furnish resiliency toxcompensate for any irregularity in the top of the container 1,- and the tin-foil facing on the linersis .toresisttheaction of the cleaning fluid or dry-cleaner. V t V Inorderto properly supportthe container l-for rotationabout a transverse axis, said container desirably has a pair of spaced parallel ribs 8 emin Figure 3,,encircling' said container and preferably disposed on either-side of the center. of gravbetween for receiving a supporting band. ,In the present embodiment, the band'comprises a pair of metal plates 11 adapted to encircle the container between the; ribs 8 and formed withoutstanding engaging end portions 12 embossed to encircle the associatedttrunnions Band 14 and held in tight engagement therewithasby meansof bolts 15 and associated nuts 16 extending through the ends 12 of the metal plates 11 on either side of the embossed portions 17 thereof. The drive trunnion 14 is desirably provided with a pocket 18 receiving an end of a crank 19 for turning the bottle or container 1. The crank 19 may be locked in place by means of a rivet, or the like, 20. The metal plates 11 forming the band are desirably of such, a width that they snugly fit between the ribs 8,

said plates being desirablyconstructed Qf 18 gauge steel and bent to follow the outside contour of the bottle or container 1, their ends being bent so as to normally lie flat one against another; as shown most clearly in Figure 1'. 1

In order to interlock with, as well as frictionally hold, the'trunnions l3 and '14upon tighteningthe nuts 16, the embossed portions 17 of the plates are desirably-provided with inwardly extending or embossed lugs 20"received in corresponding pockets in the embraced portions of thetrunnions 1'3:

and 14. In order that thebottle or container may beheld snugly between the sections 11 of the band, felt or fiber packing 21 is desirably provided between the band -and the bottle, as shown most'clearly in Figure 3.- 1

For rotatively mounting the container'o'r jar 1, the stand or base with brackets 22-is provided,.said stand being desirably constructedof a steel rod, square in section, bent to the desired shape, as shown most clearly in Figure 1.. 'In other words, a rod of-steel is, as shown in the drawings, bent to form a three-sidedre'ctangular base portion 22 with upstanding bracket portions 23, the upper ends of which have-horizontal supporting portions 24, the ends of-which are-formed'with notches 25 providing bearings forthe trunnions 13 and 14. The trunnions 13 and 14 are desirably constructed of hard bronze, whereby they will wear well against the steel supporting brackets.

Both trunnions-1 3 and 14 are desirably provided with collars or flanges 26, preferably snugly engaging the inner faces of the bearing-portions 25 of the stand 22, whereby endwise movement is eliminated. Inorder to prevent undesired upward movement of the trunnion 14 to which-the crarik lQ is connected, said trunnion is desirably provided withan annular .notch 27 formed in the collar or'per'ipheral flange -26 thereof which abuts the bearing portion 25, said bearing portion being notched, as indicated at 28 to partiallyreceive the annular collar 26, and formed with an annular flange 29 normally fitting the annular notch 21 in the-trunnion le -thereby interlocking the .trun nionto the bearing portion, while not interferingwith turning thereof. The-relative dimensions ofthe-parts are such that the spring stand'has to be sprung-slightly to permit the trunnion 14. to be interlocked with respect to the bearing flange 29 whereby, when assembled, the stand resiliently holds the trunnion 14 in interlocked position with respect thereto by axial pressure. *In' orderto facilitate thoroughly.- cleaning articles of clothing in the container 1' and; after cleaning, removing as much oftheexc'ess'cleana ing 'fluidor-dry-fcleaner from said materialsbefore removing" them from the "container.- 1, a foraniinous adjustable partition or draining rack 30' is desirably provided in s'aidcontainer. Thepreferred details of my partition arashown in Figures '6, "7; and 8; although it will be a under-. stoodthat modifications may be made without departing from-the invention. In the presenti embodiment, the partition comprises three {substantially' 'diamond sh'aped plates 31-1 form'ed with a series of -"apertures-32 to-allowthe cleaningfluid justed to the size of the container 1, with their edges interlocked in the peripheral notch 37 in theinner surface of said container, or they may be deflated for removal, as will be understood. In other words, whenithe plates 31 are connected to the circular plate 33 with'the screws'34 engaging the outermost ends of 'the slots 35,-the assembled partition hasa relatively. small periphery, andwhen the screws 34 are loose the plates maybe rotated one over. the other, adapting the partition to be inserted or removed from the bottle or container .1, whereas when expanded by clamping the plates 31 tothe circular. plate 33, with the screws in thoseportions of the slots which make the periphery of the assembled par tition tightly engage the peripheral notch 37 on the inside of the container 1, as shown in Fig. 3, said partition is properly interlocked with the container for the purpose described. It will thus be appreciated that the partition may be inserted and removed, as desired, to provide a shelf on which the articles to be cleaned may be allowed to lie aftercleaning, so that the ex-. excess fluid will drain therefrom. r

In order to facilitate expansion of the partition in place in the groove 37 of the container, the. circular plate 33 is desirably provided with. a square or non-circular aperture 38. adapted .to serve for turning'said plate 33 to causeexpansion of the associated plates 31 after assembly,- but before tightening the screws 34. :The aperture 38 and the heads of the screws 34 are desirably covered, after assembly, by means of an embossed cover plate 39 carryingspring clips 40- which resiliently engage the edges of thecircular plate33 around the'aperture 38 andhold said cover plate in position, thereby covering the heads of the screws 34 and protecting the clothing being cleaned from catching thereon. v

- In order to insure thatthe partition, when in expanded and adjusted position,'will completely divide the container-as desired, each plate 31 desirably'has oneradial edge formed with an.

offset flange '41 normally overlapping the adjacent'edge portion of an associated plate, as shown most clearly in Figure 6. 1 a

From the foregoing description, taken in con'- nection with the accompanying drawings, it will beseen that I have devised a cleaning machine- Which, although particularly adapted for drycleaning clothing, is not limited to such use,

and which maybe readily manufactured andas' sembled as the parts are few and relatively sim.-.

ple in form. To operate the machine, after .as-;

the screw cap 2, and rotated a few minutes to clean the articles therein. The container is then allowed to stand until the excess cleaning fluid has drained from the articles being cleaned, as can be determined by noticing when the fluid discontinues, or substantially discontinues, draining from said clothing into the bulk of the fluid beneath the partition 30. The screw cap may then be removed and the cleaned articles taken from the container and allowed to dry.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and that the terms employed are used for purposes of description and not of limitation.

l. A cleaning machine comprising a container, trunnions extending outwardly from the sides thereof and formed with flanges spaced from the ends of said trunnions, and a stand for said container formed of a resilient rod bent and provided with bearings the adjacent sides of which are axially pressed into engagement with the flanges on said trunnions by the resiliency of the rod, and means extending axially from one of said engaging portions and received in the adjacent part for interlocking one of said bearings and its associated trunnion.

2. A cleaning machine comprising a supporting frame, a jar rotatable thereon about a transverse axis and formed with an inner peripheral groove, a foraminous partition with its peripheral portion normally received in said groove for dividing said jar into two compartments, means for expanding and retracting said partition to allow for application and removal, and means for closing said jar.

3. In a cleaning machine, a supporting base formed of a metal rod bent to provide three sides of a rectangular portion with the ends of said rod at the open side of said rectangular portion being bent upwardly and then extended horizontally back over said first portion to terminate in depending notch portions forming bearings, and a container formed with trunnions extending from the sides thereof and rotatably mounted in said bearings. v

i. In a cleaning machine, a container having spaced parallel ribs, means for supporting said container comprising a pair of band segments engaging it between said ribs, said band segments having outstanding end portions with adjacent faces adapted to lie against each other, said end portions being outwardly embossed to form pockets, trunnions mounted in said pockets between said outwardly embossed portions, means for locking said segments in place and holding the trunnions so that they are adapted to serve for rotatively mounting said container, and means mounted in said container between the ends thereof to serve as a draining rack for articles which have been cleaned.

5. In a cleaning machine, a container for cleaning fluid and articles to be cleaned, a resilient rod bent to form a base and upstanding bracket portions serving as supporting means for said container, said container comprising trunnions extending outwardly from opposite'sides thereof, the bracket portions of said rod being formed to provide upwardly opening bearings, which when free are more closely spaced than said trunnions, for receiving the latter when the bracket portions are flexed apart, so that when released the bearings are urged into engagement with the trunnions by the resiliency of said rod, and one of said trunnions havingan annular recess, the engaging bearing portion of said rod having an annular projection fitting said recess for limiting upward movement of said trunnion.

6. In a cleaning machine, a container having a pair of spaced ribs, means for supporting said container comprising a pair of band segments engaging said container between said ribs, trunnions disposed between said segments at the ends thereof, said segments being outwardly embossed to receive said trunnions and apertured on opposite sides of said-embossed portions, bolts passing through said apertures for holding said segments together and said trunnions in position, and means disposed in the container between the ends thereof, to support articles above the bottom of the container and drain excess fluid therefrom.

7. A container formed with an interior peripheral groove and a partition formed of a plurality of plates with overlapping marginal portions slidably adjustable with respect to one another so that it may be contracted for insertion in the container and expanded and held in normal position with the peripheral portion fitting in said groove for the purpose described.

8. In combination with a container for cleaning fluid and articles to be cleaned, said container being formed with an interior peripheral groove, a partition with its peripheral portion normally received in said groove and dividing said container into two compartments, said partition being retractable for insertion in the container, expansible to position therein, apertured,

' and adapted to support said articles for draining after being cleaned and before removal from the container.

9. A partition for dividing a container into a plurality of compartments comprising a central plate provided with threaded apertures, a plurality of complementary slotted foraminous plates connected to said central plate by screws engaging in said slots and threaded'apertures, said foraminous plates having overlapping radial edge portions, and the slots in said plates being eccentric to allow adjustment of said partition.

10. A cleaning machine comprising a supporting frame, a container rotatable thereon about a transverse axis and formed with an inner peripheral groove, and a partition with its peripheral portion normally received in said groove and dividing said container into two compartments, said partition comprising a central plate provided with threaded apertures, a plurality of complementary slotted foraminous plates connected to said central plates by screws engaging in said slots and threaded apertures, said foraminous plates having overlapping radial edge portions, and the slots in said plates being eccentric to allow expansive and retractive adjustment of said partition for the purpose of'application and removal .with respect to said container. i

11. A supporting base formed of a metal rod bent to provide three sides of a substantially rectangular portion with the ends thereof at the open side of said rectangular portion bent. upwardly and thenextended horizontally back over said first portion, and terminating in notched portions forming bearings forrotatably supporting a container.

WILLIAM E. SHARP. 

